Medicines
Anti-malaria drugs
Doxycycline
Price: £16.00 - private prescription only
Chloroquine plus proguanil - (brand name Paludrine/Avloclor®)
£16.00 - private prescription only
This combination is used to provide protection in areas where there is limited to moderate chloroquine resistant malaria.
Proguanil plus Atovaquone - (brand name Malarone®)
£16.00 - Private prescription only
Malarone is now licensed in the U.K. for prevention of malaria. Malarone is a combination of proguanil hydrochloride 100 mg and atovaquone 250 mg.
It has been widely used elsewhere throughout the world however and is extremely effective although somewhat more expensive than older treatments.
Malarone is now one of three options (the others are mefloquine or doxycycline) for prevention of malaria when travelling to areas with chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum malaria.
Mefloquine - (brand name Lariam®)
£16.00 - private prescription only
Used in areas of high chloroquine resistance ie Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the amazon basin.
Other Medicines
Anti-diarrhoea
- Electrolyte replacement sachets such as dioralyte or electrolade. They contain a mixture of salts and glucose. Reconstituted with water, they replace lost salts and fluids from diarrhoea. (obtainable over the counter at pharmacies)
- Antibiotics. If you are likely to be off the beaten track it may be worth taking away some antibiotic ie ciprofloxacin (on prescription only), in case you develop diarrhoea. This shouldn't be necessary on a typical 2 week package. This option is unavailable on the NHS for this purpose. Private prescriptions cost £8.50 and in addition you will need to pay the pharmacist for the drug itself.
- Imodium. This is an anti-diarrhoeal medicine which is useful in mild cases of diarrhoea for adults only. It can help stop the need to visit the toilet so frequently but is not generally recommended if you are ill with a temperature in association with the diarrhoea. Available over the counter.
- Remember...Always seek medical advice if diarrhoea is severe or prolonged, or if there is any blood in the stool. Children can dehydrate quickly. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Anti-histamine
Useful for your first aid kit. They can be used to treat insect bites, allergies, skin irritations etc . They come in tablet, syrup and creams/lotions.
Several types are available over the counter, for example Chlorpheniramine (Piriton) is an oral preparation. Eurax is a cream or lotion, Anthisan is a cream - for insect bites - Please speak to your pharmacist for advice regarding other brands.
Some of the latest oral non-sedating anti-histamines are available on prescription only. Please speak to us if you want more information.
Anti-septics
Very useful for minor injuries and abrasions. Essential for your travel medical kit. They come in creams, lotions and powder. Most contain chlorhexidine and some cetrimide. There are so many brands it is best to speak to your pharmacist. Most are available over the counter.
Water Purification
Not usually necessary in clean resorts or large city hotels. If you are off the beaten track however, to avoid infections - always try to drink bottled water. If not available, boil all water. If this is not possible, use water purification methods.
- Chlorine tablets can be used to purify water, although iodine is probably better.
- Tincture of iodine is available from your pharmacist. Used at a concentration of concentration of 8 mgs per litre and left for 10 minutes, it will destroy bacteria, viruses and cysts.
- Use 4 drops of tincture of iodine to 1 litre of water or one drop to a glass. Wait 20 min if water is very cold or contaminated with organic material.
- Follow instructions carefully. Avoid in pregnancy and in the very young. Not for long-term use.
- The taste of iodine can be largely removed adding dissolvable vitamin C tablets, lime or lemon juice ( after 10 minutes, to give it time to work).